Steps to Writing a Fictional Narrative (Short Story
Steps to Writing a Fictional Narrative (Short Story
Steps to Writing a Fictional Narrative (Short Story
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<strong>Steps</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Writing</strong> a <strong>Fictional</strong> <strong>Narrative</strong> (<strong>Short</strong> S<strong>to</strong>ry)<br />
1. Read and understand the prompt or writing directions. What kind of s<strong>to</strong>ry are you being asked<br />
<strong>to</strong> write?<br />
Example: <strong>Fictional</strong> <strong>Narrative</strong> <strong>Writing</strong> Task<br />
In this writing test, you will write a fictional short s<strong>to</strong>ry. Your writing will be scored on how well you:<br />
• tell a s<strong>to</strong>ry about a fictional event<br />
• develop a plot with a beginning, middle, and end;<br />
• develop a setting and characters;<br />
• use appropriate strategies such as action, descriptive detail, and dialogue <strong>to</strong> make your s<strong>to</strong>ry interesting; and<br />
• use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization<br />
2. Decide on your <strong>to</strong>pic. Come up with a character that has one strength and one weakness.<br />
3. Create a conflict. What problem will the character face? How will he or she overcome this<br />
problem?<br />
4. Set the scene. Where will your s<strong>to</strong>ry take place? What specific sensory details can you include <strong>to</strong><br />
show the reader your setting?<br />
5. Plan the complications. What will be the sequence of events in the s<strong>to</strong>ry? How will you connect<br />
the events so they flow smoothly <strong>to</strong>gether? How can you make the action of the s<strong>to</strong>ry come alive?<br />
6. Determine the climax. What will the character do <strong>to</strong> create tension in the s<strong>to</strong>ry? Don’t skimp on<br />
the climax. This should be the most exciting, thrilling, or meaningful moment in the s<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />
7. Wrap up with a resolution. How has the character changed? Does the ending flow naturally from<br />
the rest of the s<strong>to</strong>ry?<br />
8. Revise. Do you start strong? Do your first sentences focus on dialogue, conflict, setting, or<br />
character? Do you use vivid details <strong>to</strong> describe the setting, action, and characters? Did you include<br />
dialogue? Do the characters sound like real people? Do your sentences flow well? Do you use<br />
transitional words and phrases <strong>to</strong> connect ideas and events? Do you have paragraph breaks whenever<br />
there’s a shift in time or place?<br />
9. Proof read and edit. Check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Are you using consistent<br />
verb tense? Are the names of people and places spelled correctly and capitalized?<br />
10. Write a final draft. Use blue or black ink. Skip lines. Write on one side of the paper only.<br />
Include an intriguing title on the first line.<br />
11. Read your s<strong>to</strong>ry one more time before you turn it in. Look for careless spelling, punctuation,<br />
and grammar errors, especially omitted words or letters. Cross out errors neatly with a single line and<br />
write the correction above.